Can I dig a shallow well in the Ozarks?

Hello all! We've been trying to start our homestead in SW Missouri for almost two years. We feel very blessed that we purchased our 40 acres before the big hike in prices in our area. Still, it's been quite the experience! We've hit snag after snag, mostly dealing with access issues -- since last summer, we have been trying to find someone to install a new MoDot approved entryway (we are on a rural highway, which is turning out to be a big hassle). Everyone is either too busy (one guy gave us work dates for 9 months, only to have something come up every time), or they are charging exorbitant prices (one guy gave an estimate four times that of his predecessor, who was too busy). We would do it ourselves, but the MoDot requirements are out side our skill set!

In the mean time, we are planning to use a very small, old entryway. We are tired of waiting, so we are going to camp on our property while working on a shower house and then a bunk house. We cannot get a well rig into our old entryway, so we are thinking of temporary alternatives.

Are shallow wells an option in this part of the Ozarks? We are about 40 minutes from Springfield. We have looked at sand-point wells and other hand-dug options. We are wondering if something like this could work for now? Or is the water table to low? We are in a lowish-area -- we get quite a bit of flash flooding in some areas of our property.

We also have a spring that has been running ever since we bought the place. Would it be simpler to pursue developing the spring?

Any advice would be appreciated! We have been working toward this dream for years and years, long before these crazy times started! Now, it seems more important than ever, but also more difficult. Still, with God's help we will make it work!

I am in Australia, and know little about wells but I am learning.
I am a Civil Engineer who deals with water all over the world.
IN my opinion there are alternatives to wells.
Why not consider rainfall collection.
My signature has a link to the topic.
Also that spring would be worth looking at, but study what needs to be done to capture the water rather than dive in and wreck things.
There are good resources about spring capture and I will seek some for you.

SPRING WATER COLLECTION
Here is an interesting site
spring-development-and-protection
From which I show this
" Springs are highly susceptible to contamination since they are fed by shallow groundwater, which usually flows through the ground for only a short period of time and may interact with surface water.
For this reason, most springs will need some treatment before the water is considered a safe source of drinking water.
Testing will help determine exactly how much treatment will be necessary and may help determine if other sources of water would be more economical."

John,

I often see you mention the link in your signature, but when I click on your profile I can never the referenced link. What is this hidden website with rainwater catchment secrets?!

In case John is busy on the other side of the world, here's the link. https://permies.com/t/88043/benefits-rainfall-collection

On the desktop view it can be seen at the bottom of each of his posts. I'm not sure about the mobile view.

Hmm. No internet out at the homestead, so I’ve been reading on my wireless device.

Thank you!

The site describes solutions and includes answer to people questions about the topic.
North America has a lot of myths about rainfall collection and I am trying to debunk them.
I know little about wells, other than what I have studied as I read of the problems people have with them.

With over use, pollution and costs of wells, I believe Rainwater collection done properly, without filters, ozoners, sniffers and whirly gigs
will be better and moire economical.
You can spend the savings on a nice Honda Motorcycle!

Definitely look into developing the spring. If you have water coming out of the ground do not even consider digging to look for more water. You already have what your looking for at the surface.

Hey Eric, I'm from SW Missouri as well, about 20 minutes from Springfied to the north. Have you looked into well maps? I think its the DNR that maintains them, if you can find some wells on the map in your area it should give you an idea of how deep you need to go. It all really depends on what you land is like. It is certainly possible to dig one. I know of several hand dug wells in the Ozarks over 100 years old still in tact. But if you are over bedrock, which wouldn't be unlikely, there is a good chance you will hit it before water and you wont be able to go further without heavy machinery. Also... .Hand digging wells is dangerous. Ive seen videos of people who have dug their own wells with homemade hydrojet vaccume devices. Maybe you could look into that.

Check out this video, it might give you some ideas